Typing speed test

How to take the typing speed test

This typing test measures how many words per minute (WPM) you can type and how accurate you are. It uses short, everyday words like house, water and friend, so you are testing your fingers and not your spelling. Each test gives you a new random set of words, so you can practice as often as you like.

Getting started

1. Press Play. The default is 30 seconds of everyday words. To change it, open Options under the paper.
2. Pick the text (optional). Words gives you a stream of simple lowercase words. Sentences gives you short everyday sentences with capital letters, commas and periods, which feels more like real writing.
3. Pick a length (optional). Fifteen seconds is a quick sprint, 30 seconds is a good everyday test, and 60 seconds gives the most reliable score.
4. Start typing. The clock starts with your first key. Type each word and press the space bar to move to the next one. When time runs out, you see your WPM, your accuracy and your best score.

Controls on a computer and on a phone

On a computer, click the text box (or just start typing after you press Restart) and type. Press Space after each word. Letters turn dark when they are right and red when they are wrong, and finished words with a mistake get a wavy red underline. If you spot a mistake in the word you just finished, press Backspace at the start of the next word to go back and fix it. Press Esc at any time to start over with new words.

On a phone or tablet, tap the text box to open your keyboard. Type each word and tap the space bar. The test asks your phone not to autocorrect, but some keyboards still change words on their own. If a word keeps changing by itself, try typing a little slower.

Tips to type faster

• Go for accuracy first. Speed comes from smooth, correct typing. Fixing mistakes costs more time than slowing down a little.
• Keep your eyes on the screen. Try not to look at the keyboard. Your fingers learn where the keys are faster when you trust them.
• Use the home row. Rest your left fingers on A, S, D and F and your right fingers on J, K, L and the semicolon. The small bumps on F and J help you find them without looking.
• Read one word ahead. While you type one word, let your eyes move to the next. This keeps you from stopping between words.
• Practice a little every day. A few one minute tests each day help more than one long session once a week.

Why a typing test makes a good brain break

A one minute test is short enough to fit between study sessions, and trying to beat your own score is fun. Typing well also saves time on essays, research notes and debate cases. Teachers can run a quick round as a warm-up or let early finishers try to beat the class best.

Questions